Elastomers Rubbers Operating Temperatures
Reference data and engineering information about elastomers rubbers operating temperatures for material properties applications.
Overview
Engineering reference data for Elastomers Rubbers Operating Temperatures in material science and properties.
Key Formulas
Stress
Force per unit area.
Strain
Change in length per original length.
Hooke's Law
Stress proportional to strain in elastic region.
Thermal Expansion
Length change due to temperature.
Variables
| Symbol | Description | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Stress | Pa | |
| Strain | — | |
| Young's modulus | Pa | |
| Thermal expansion coefficient | 1/°C | |
| Temperature change | °C |
Operating Temperature Ranges for Elastomers
ID (DIN ISO 1629) | Name | Characterized by | Typical Applications | Temperature Range (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACM | polyacrylic rubber | Good hot-air resistance, ozone & weather resistance, good resistance to lubricating oils with additives, low elasticity, medium strength | Oil seals, higher temperature seals | -20 to 150 |
| AEM | ethylene acrylate rubber | Good mechanical properties, temperature resistant, good compression ratio | Oil seals, higher temperature seals | -40 to 160 |
| CR | chloroprene rubber | Good weather, ozone, aging & chemical resistance, high flame retardance, good mechanical properties, abrasion resistance, flexible in low temperatures | Refrigerant sealings, outdoor seals, adhesives | -35 to 90 |
| ECO | epichlorohydrin rubber | Resistant to engine oil & fuels, very low gas permeability, weather & ozone resistant, low compression ratio | Engine bearings, vibration dampers, fuel lines | -40 to 120 |
| EPDM | ethylene propylene diene rubber | High elasticity, weather resistant, good heat, ozone & aging resistance, good low-temperature performance | Parts in contact with brake fluids, cooling water, refrigerants | -40 to 150 |
| FKM | fluorine rubber | Good resistance to oils, fuels & aggressive media, very good aging, ozone & weather resistance, low gas permeability | Fuel applications | -20 to 200 |
| FVMQ | fluorosilicone rubber | Very good chemical resistance to hydrocarbons, mineral oils & fuel | -55 to 175 | |
| HNBR | hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber | Properties comparable to NBR with higher operating temperatures | Parts in contact with mineral oil, diesel & cooling water | -30 to 140 |
| IIR | isobutene-isoprene rubber | Very low permeability to air, water vapor & gases, good weather, ozone, organic & inorganic chemicals & aging resistance | Tires | -40 to 110 |
| NBR | nitrile butadiene rubber | Oil resistant (depends on acrylonitrile content), good mechanical properties, good abrasion resistance | Mineral oil & grease seals | -30 to 100 |
| PUR | polyurethanes | Properties vary widely with the chemical recipe; typical properties include very good low temperature flexibility, good recovery performance, low gas permeability, good mineral oil resistance & high strength | Adhesives, seat cushions, exterior elements, soundproofing, suspension insulators | -50 to 110 |
| SBR | styrene butadiene rubber | Very good mechanical properties, abrasion resistance | Tires, v-belts | -40 to 110 |
| VMQ | silicone rubber | High thermal resistance, very flexible at low temperatures, resistant to oils & water vapor, good weather resistance, good dielectric properties, hydrophobic | Seals in electric applications, radiators | -50 to 200 |
Source: engineeringtoolbox.com
Properties and Selection Notes
The Operating Temperature Range is a critical parameter for material selection in sealing and engineering applications. It defines the continuous service temperature window where the elastomer maintains its designed mechanical and chemical properties (e.g., elasticity, compression set resistance).
- Upper Limit: Exceeding the maximum temperature typically accelerates degradation, leading to hardening, cracking, and loss of sealing force.
- Lower Limit: Below the minimum temperature, elastomers can become brittle and lose their sealing ability due to stiffening.
Selecting an elastomer requires balancing the temperature range with other critical properties such as chemical resistance (to specific oils, fuels, or fluids), mechanical strength, abrasion resistance, and permeability.